When you suddenly have to make a lefthand turn, do you ever wonder how you’re able to do so? Like most people, you probably just accept it as “that’s just how cars work.” Well, in case you were wondering, it’s a complex assembly of different components that make up your front suspension.
These different components include a collection of bearings, bushings, links, and even joints. Ball joints, to be more exact.
But, How Can You Spot A Ball Joint?
While it’s unlikely you’ve ever seen one since it’s doubtful you’ve ever fixed a suspension. Ball joints work very similarly to how a body joint would. A ball joint in your car helps you maneuver around the road and provides pivoting movement between the steering knuckles and control arms.
This allows the driver to smoothly control their automobile.
These components consist of only a metal housing and a stud that will swing and rotate within the housing. The socket holding the joint is filled with grease that helps keep debris out and maintain a drive free of clanking or screeching.
Can A Ball Joint Wear Out?
Not only can they wear out, but ignoring such an issue could spell disaster for your safety.
When a ball joint starts to wear out on your car, you’ll begin to notice some symptoms that are hard to ignore. To start with, you may notice that the steering wheel is a little loose. When your steering wheel is loose, it’ll become increasingly more challenging to keep a straight line when driving.
Simply drive on a straight road and let go of the steering wheel to test this out. If it starts to shake, even a little bit, you’ve got a problem on your hands. You can also tell if the car begins to swerve on either side.
However, the wheel alignment is the most significant tell-tale sign of a worn-out joint. The tires would not be able to maintain optimum contact with the road, contributing to excessive tire wear. This will ultimately shorten your tires’ life spans.
Ignoring the signs of a worn ball joint could result in loss of control of your automobile. If you suspect that you have worn-out ball joints in your suspension, get that looked at immediately.
What Can Be Done With Prevention & Maintenance?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done in prevention. Not only is the suspension difficult to access without the proper equipment, but it’s also a complex collection of different parts and components that should only be looked at by professionals. Also, it can be hard sometimes to determine if there is even an issue since there’s no warning light to tell you about it.
On older models, sometimes ball joints came with grease fittings equipped with newer, cleaner grease that can be added to tighten up small spaces and lengthen the life span. That’s a rare case for the newer models.
The best thing you can do is take the car in for regular maintenance at least once a year. That way, you won’t be sidetracked by sudden issues. Replacing a ball joint usually depends on your car’s model and year, as well as the amount of labour ranging anywhere from $20 - $200 each.
The new Autoly app is specially designed with a variety of tools and resources to help you understand any issues with your vehicle and follow the best options for maintenance. Coming soon for download on the App Store, Play Store and Appgallery.
